I agree with Philip that major changes are coming to the health insurance system, but unlike Philip, hopefulness is not the emotion I feel, but glum resignation.
For years, those whose ideology revolts against individualist or free market solutions have been warning that the ship of American health care is sinking and we must pile into the lifeboats, all the while they've been knocking holes in the hull below the waterline. They've done a fair amount of damage, but nothing we couldn't fix if they'd stop trying so hard to sink us. However, it seems likely we'll soon be forced off the ship regardless. As Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst polical system there is, except for all the others."
I had hopes that the failure of socialized medicine in the UK and Canada would be painfully self-evident before we were too fully committed to following in their footsteps, but it looks like we're about a decade too quick.
We are lucky to be a federal system, so many of the worst excesses of government-directed programs have been tested out in some of the states, and seem to be leading to a tiny bit of caution that wasn't there back in the days of Hillary's massive plan. Once the system gets up and running nationally, though, I doubt if that caution will prevail.
Scott, before you abandon your dreams, check into it more thoroughly than a thread by total strangers on a blog. Some insurance contracts are guaranteed renewable as long as the company continues doing business in the state and you pay your premiums. If you are in a state where the politicians are determined to kill the private market, there is indeed risk, but otherwise, the fear of getting non-renewed because you get sick is overblown.
Also, at least a portion of that extra $5,000 you could save should go into a Medical Savings Account, so that when and if you do have a bad year, you're covered (self-covered).
hello, i would just like to say that, when i take a cold i really take a cold....it floors me for days which i can't really afford to take off. so the other day whilst out shopping i picked up some garlic bulbs just to try out...(as i had symtoms of an on coming cold) i went home and made some homemade soup and added the garlic. Although, the first day of the cold hitting me was bad, i have to say that i felt much more comfortable the following day. I can only assume that the garlic has helped as ever since i was a child i have suffered from aggressive colds. From now on, i will be keeping garlic in my fridge for the next bout of the cold. As my youngest child also suffers like me, her siblings bounce back quicker whilst she is in bed with no energy the same as me for a week. Thanks for your advice! xx
But there's yet another wrinkle--some of us, like me, work in multiple workplaces.
I teach in a college with multiple campus sites. If I lived near my office ... let's just say that I can't even afford an apartment near there. Another campus at which I teach is 40 miles away. The second is also 40 miles away. The last campus in 120 miles away, but, thankfully, I only teach there one or two sessions out of eight.
The compromise? A semi-dangerous neighborhood seven miles from the office, and 32 miles from either of the other two campuses. The last campus is impossible anyway :)
I wish it were a different situation ... but it isn't. I wish public transportation went to these places, but it doesn't. (One campus is in a county that has persistently refused public transportation on the grounds that it will attract Scary Poor (and presumably Scary Ethnic) People.) Even if it did ... class gets out at 9:45 at night, and the bus / train / bus commute to one campus lasts over two and a half hours and involves stops in some TRULY dangerous places. No, thank you. The college does not run shuttlebuses. And teaching positions ... let's just say that full-time academic work is not something that one can just change at will. Changing jobs would entail a cross country move (and probably the same situation) to stay in the field, or a complete career change. I am good at what I do and I enjoy it and my colleagues and students ...
So yes--it's a good ideal. I try to work at home as often as I can, and combine shopping with after work (and shops are often not crowded that late, or they are closed, which cuts down on spending :) :) ) But alas, walking to work isn't an option.
Not sure if this is true or not, but someone once told me that they still use coca leaves (where cocaine comes from, not sure if thats the right spelling) but extract the cocaine under tight government control. However, they cannot extract all of it so a small amount of cocaine is still added to the secret formula.
Women are responsible for inequalities in the workplace? What an appalling assertion. While your point may be that there are ways for women to improve their chances at getting ahead in the workplace, blaming women for their own disadvantage within a patriarchal system tarnishes any advice you give those same women.
While I knew a lot about what I do before quitting my corporate job to run my business full-time, I also knew enough to seek out mentors. They came in all shapes and sizes, some had a positive message, some were nay-sayers.
I quickly learned to carefully consider the individual's perspective when weighing their views. I spoke with several people who do what I do part time that strongly advised me I'd never make a living at it, while others who were more successful had very helpful tips on how to make it work as a full-time business.
Make sure those you talk with present a balanced viewpoint.
I've had two mentors who have played significant roles in my professional life and am so appreciative of their presence. Both women were older than me, became good friends, and helped me through many a rough patch.
In blogging I've found mentors as well- a mentor doesn't always have to be someone you know face to face!
And in return I've tried to be a mentor for others, although I don't always know how well I have succeeded! Both in formal relationships through networking groups and associations around a common theme, but also informally as well.
Being bashful in the kitchen is no way to learn to cook. My folks can relate tales that would curl your hair in regards to some of the concoctions I produced in-lieu of delectable dishes! My stepmother wished for some help in the kitchen... Careful what you wish for?
However, I can boast the ability to produce some pretty decent fare now, and often use recipes as a foundation for dishes, substituting at will with what I have on hand. But, as I've told my daughter who's developing a budding interest in the kitchen, you have to be willing to eat your mistakes.
Whenever I make something that is barely tolerable, I think of Ramona the Pest giving her father a hard time about eating her breakfast...
It kind of bothers me that coke seems to be a more effective and versatile cleaning detergent than many actual cleaning supplies... Do you really want to put that in your body? I'm just sayin...
Very good article.
I have read about mentorship many times and it has been always strange to me how often it looks like you should have only 1 mentor to guide you. I think that mentorship goes with the people you trust and it can come from many directions as you have described.
A day or weekend trip up to Vancouver is nice too. Amtrak has a daily Seattle-Vancouver train. Leaves Seattle at 7:45 and get to Vancouver at noon. The return trip leaves Vancouver at 6pm.
Maybe baby carrots aren't the most frugal thing and maybe they aren't the best tasting carrot you can eat, but I still think they are a good idea. They are healthy foods that are as easy to eat as fast foods. I for one barely ever eat vegetables because I'm reeeeeeally lazy and they take more time to ingest than, say, McDonald's. But baby carrots solve that problem. They're like healthy french fries. Anything that gets me to eat vegetables instead of fast food is a good thing.
I bought this set samsung HT-TXQ120 a couple of months ago and discovered that the system can only play region 2. Please can anybody help me on how to convert it to multi-region.
Hi....I'm 49 too and separated. This year I sold up and started woofing. So long as I can put £50 a week in the bank I can get by. The life is wonderful and I've learned lots and met many amazing people. I aim to be "amazing at eighty" and that means doing amazing things....go for it you wont regret it.
It's amazing how much can be created within a structure of space.
Trial and error have taught me that.
;)
Thank you for putting it into words which I do not have.
We tend to do lunch specials. All four us seem to go for the lunch special at Sunflower (Vietnamese) on 16th and Valencia. Not stroller friendly but quick and yummy and cheap with lots of food.
I concur with the Burmese place as well--love that place. We're going at the end of the month!
I'm making a return visit to San Francisco in November, so this is beautiful timing!
A couple of questions: any recommendations for eating out on a budget?
Also, last time we went to SF we walked down into the North Beach area around 9ish, looking for somewhere to eat/hang out, but everywhere was closed! Bar a kebab shop. We were quite surprised as we had heard that the area was good for nightlife. Where should we have gone?
Sorry, but not everyone has kids, or visits San Francisco with kids. Here's two more ideas for kids and families visiting San Francisco.
Before you visit San Francisco, visit http://www.sfkids.org
They list most of the kids activities going on around San Francisco and the Bay Area, a lot of the events are free.
Take your kids on an Urban Jungle Safari, search for the elusive Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, take bus 39 to Coit Tower and walk down Filbert steps.
Here is a write-up I did on my San Francisco Neighborhood, North Beach Telegraph Hill, with pictures.
One of my absolute favorite days in SF is to lunch or dine at Burma Superstar, grab some bubble tea and then browse the shops on Clement, mainly Green Apple Books.
You're correct that there are so many free activities in SF -- mostly walking or hiking outdoors. Sigh, I miss it so.
We jut got back from SF and had a fabulous time. The highlight was visiting Giants stadium! For only $10 you can go behind the scenes, in the dugout, clubhouse and more! Fabulous fun, beautiful stadium.
I agree with Philip that major changes are coming to the health insurance system, but unlike Philip, hopefulness is not the emotion I feel, but glum resignation.
For years, those whose ideology revolts against individualist or free market solutions have been warning that the ship of American health care is sinking and we must pile into the lifeboats, all the while they've been knocking holes in the hull below the waterline. They've done a fair amount of damage, but nothing we couldn't fix if they'd stop trying so hard to sink us. However, it seems likely we'll soon be forced off the ship regardless. As Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst polical system there is, except for all the others."
I had hopes that the failure of socialized medicine in the UK and Canada would be painfully self-evident before we were too fully committed to following in their footsteps, but it looks like we're about a decade too quick.
We are lucky to be a federal system, so many of the worst excesses of government-directed programs have been tested out in some of the states, and seem to be leading to a tiny bit of caution that wasn't there back in the days of Hillary's massive plan. Once the system gets up and running nationally, though, I doubt if that caution will prevail.
Scott, before you abandon your dreams, check into it more thoroughly than a thread by total strangers on a blog. Some insurance contracts are guaranteed renewable as long as the company continues doing business in the state and you pay your premiums. If you are in a state where the politicians are determined to kill the private market, there is indeed risk, but otherwise, the fear of getting non-renewed because you get sick is overblown.
Also, at least a portion of that extra $5,000 you could save should go into a Medical Savings Account, so that when and if you do have a bad year, you're covered (self-covered).
Can somebody who has been treated for Cancer get mortgage life insurance?
Thanks.
hello, i would just like to say that, when i take a cold i really take a cold....it floors me for days which i can't really afford to take off. so the other day whilst out shopping i picked up some garlic bulbs just to try out...(as i had symtoms of an on coming cold) i went home and made some homemade soup and added the garlic. Although, the first day of the cold hitting me was bad, i have to say that i felt much more comfortable the following day. I can only assume that the garlic has helped as ever since i was a child i have suffered from aggressive colds. From now on, i will be keeping garlic in my fridge for the next bout of the cold. As my youngest child also suffers like me, her siblings bounce back quicker whilst she is in bed with no energy the same as me for a week. Thanks for your advice! xx
drinks Cherry Coke daily. Perhaps Coke can help with investment results?
But there's yet another wrinkle--some of us, like me, work in multiple workplaces.
I teach in a college with multiple campus sites. If I lived near my office ... let's just say that I can't even afford an apartment near there. Another campus at which I teach is 40 miles away. The second is also 40 miles away. The last campus in 120 miles away, but, thankfully, I only teach there one or two sessions out of eight.
The compromise? A semi-dangerous neighborhood seven miles from the office, and 32 miles from either of the other two campuses. The last campus is impossible anyway :)
I wish it were a different situation ... but it isn't. I wish public transportation went to these places, but it doesn't. (One campus is in a county that has persistently refused public transportation on the grounds that it will attract Scary Poor (and presumably Scary Ethnic) People.) Even if it did ... class gets out at 9:45 at night, and the bus / train / bus commute to one campus lasts over two and a half hours and involves stops in some TRULY dangerous places. No, thank you. The college does not run shuttlebuses. And teaching positions ... let's just say that full-time academic work is not something that one can just change at will. Changing jobs would entail a cross country move (and probably the same situation) to stay in the field, or a complete career change. I am good at what I do and I enjoy it and my colleagues and students ...
So yes--it's a good ideal. I try to work at home as often as I can, and combine shopping with after work (and shops are often not crowded that late, or they are closed, which cuts down on spending :) :) ) But alas, walking to work isn't an option.
Not sure if this is true or not, but someone once told me that they still use coca leaves (where cocaine comes from, not sure if thats the right spelling) but extract the cocaine under tight government control. However, they cannot extract all of it so a small amount of cocaine is still added to the secret formula.
Women are responsible for inequalities in the workplace? What an appalling assertion. While your point may be that there are ways for women to improve their chances at getting ahead in the workplace, blaming women for their own disadvantage within a patriarchal system tarnishes any advice you give those same women.
While I knew a lot about what I do before quitting my corporate job to run my business full-time, I also knew enough to seek out mentors. They came in all shapes and sizes, some had a positive message, some were nay-sayers.
I quickly learned to carefully consider the individual's perspective when weighing their views. I spoke with several people who do what I do part time that strongly advised me I'd never make a living at it, while others who were more successful had very helpful tips on how to make it work as a full-time business.
Make sure those you talk with present a balanced viewpoint.
where did those guys at sortfix come up with that idea
so excellent!!
I've had two mentors who have played significant roles in my professional life and am so appreciative of their presence. Both women were older than me, became good friends, and helped me through many a rough patch.
In blogging I've found mentors as well- a mentor doesn't always have to be someone you know face to face!
And in return I've tried to be a mentor for others, although I don't always know how well I have succeeded! Both in formal relationships through networking groups and associations around a common theme, but also informally as well.
Great post Nora!
Being bashful in the kitchen is no way to learn to cook. My folks can relate tales that would curl your hair in regards to some of the concoctions I produced in-lieu of delectable dishes! My stepmother wished for some help in the kitchen... Careful what you wish for?
However, I can boast the ability to produce some pretty decent fare now, and often use recipes as a foundation for dishes, substituting at will with what I have on hand. But, as I've told my daughter who's developing a budding interest in the kitchen, you have to be willing to eat your mistakes.
Whenever I make something that is barely tolerable, I think of Ramona the Pest giving her father a hard time about eating her breakfast...
It kind of bothers me that coke seems to be a more effective and versatile cleaning detergent than many actual cleaning supplies... Do you really want to put that in your body? I'm just sayin...
Very good article.
I have read about mentorship many times and it has been always strange to me how often it looks like you should have only 1 mentor to guide you. I think that mentorship goes with the people you trust and it can come from many directions as you have described.
A day or weekend trip up to Vancouver is nice too. Amtrak has a daily Seattle-Vancouver train. Leaves Seattle at 7:45 and get to Vancouver at noon. The return trip leaves Vancouver at 6pm.
More info
Maybe baby carrots aren't the most frugal thing and maybe they aren't the best tasting carrot you can eat, but I still think they are a good idea. They are healthy foods that are as easy to eat as fast foods. I for one barely ever eat vegetables because I'm reeeeeeally lazy and they take more time to ingest than, say, McDonald's. But baby carrots solve that problem. They're like healthy french fries. Anything that gets me to eat vegetables instead of fast food is a good thing.
You say the Frye is expensive on a normal day.... not true. It's free EVERY day!
I bought this set samsung HT-TXQ120 a couple of months ago and discovered that the system can only play region 2. Please can anybody help me on how to convert it to multi-region.
Hi....I'm 49 too and separated. This year I sold up and started woofing. So long as I can put £50 a week in the bank I can get by. The life is wonderful and I've learned lots and met many amazing people. I aim to be "amazing at eighty" and that means doing amazing things....go for it you wont regret it.
It's amazing how much can be created within a structure of space.
Trial and error have taught me that.
;)
Thank you for putting it into words which I do not have.
We tend to do lunch specials. All four us seem to go for the lunch special at Sunflower (Vietnamese) on 16th and Valencia. Not stroller friendly but quick and yummy and cheap with lots of food.
I concur with the Burmese place as well--love that place. We're going at the end of the month!
Margaret Garcia-Couoh
I'm making a return visit to San Francisco in November, so this is beautiful timing!
A couple of questions: any recommendations for eating out on a budget?
Also, last time we went to SF we walked down into the North Beach area around 9ish, looking for somewhere to eat/hang out, but everywhere was closed! Bar a kebab shop. We were quite surprised as we had heard that the area was good for nightlife. Where should we have gone?
Sorry, but not everyone has kids, or visits San Francisco with kids. Here's two more ideas for kids and families visiting San Francisco.
Before you visit San Francisco, visit http://www.sfkids.org
They list most of the kids activities going on around San Francisco and the Bay Area, a lot of the events are free.
Take your kids on an Urban Jungle Safari, search for the elusive Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, take bus 39 to Coit Tower and walk down Filbert steps.
Here is a write-up I did on my San Francisco Neighborhood, North Beach Telegraph Hill, with pictures.
http://www.iplanretirement.com/retirementblog/telegraph-hill/
Enjoy San Francisco! It's a beautiful day, and I'm not going to waste it on the computer, gotta go...
One of my absolute favorite days in SF is to lunch or dine at Burma Superstar, grab some bubble tea and then browse the shops on Clement, mainly Green Apple Books.
You're correct that there are so many free activities in SF -- mostly walking or hiking outdoors. Sigh, I miss it so.
I blog at www.shopliftingwithpermission.com.
We made a quilt out of old jeans, and for only $2.99 or so, we can buy a patch to iron on it.
Everytime we travel, we buy a new patch and now we have a fun memory quilt!
We jut got back from SF and had a fabulous time. The highlight was visiting Giants stadium! For only $10 you can go behind the scenes, in the dugout, clubhouse and more! Fabulous fun, beautiful stadium.